January 2013

Message from the President and CEO

Dear Friend,

We begin each year mindful of the vital role friends like you play in our fight against kidney disease, and we thank you for your ongoing support of our mission. With your help, we assist tens of thousands of dialysis patients struggling with the often-devastating financial impact of kidney failure.

Nearly every day we receive letters and emails from people living with kidney failure who turned to the American Kidney Fund for financial assistance when they had nowhere else to turn. We are humbled by the scale of the challenges they face and overcome each day, and we are honored to touch their lives in such meaningful and tangible ways. Here’s one note from a patient in South Carolina that really touched me:

"Adjusting to dialysis and ESRD has been life-changing in so many ways—emotionally, physically, financially. You have helped reduce our financial burden and lessen our day-to-day stress."

Letters like these fuel our passion for the work we do. In addition to assisting patients with kidney failure, we are on the front lines of the fight to prevent kidney disease. Through our health screenings and outreach efforts, we are focused on reaching the people most at risk for kidney disease to empower them to take charge of their kidney health.

Our 2013 calendar will brighten every day of every month with its colorful designs, all created by children with kidney disease. Our Calendar Kids Program is supported by an educational donation provided by Amgen, and sales of our calendar help support the programs and services of the American Kidney Fund.

The American Kidney Fund has added new free online continuing education courses for primary and renal care professionals. “Helping Patients Prepare for Kidney Replacement Therapy” provides an overview of options for patients in the late stages of chronic kidney disease, and includes patient interviews and patient resource materials. New offerings also include two courses that focus on depression in patients, and one course designed to help social workers better manage the stress and challenges they encounter each day to improve patient care.

AKF’s growing Advocacy Network recently reached a major milestone: 1,000 members. In just two years, the American Kidney Fund Advocacy Network has grown from a single patient-advocate to a nationwide network of more than 1,000 kidney patients, their friends, family members and caregivers, and health professionals in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Join this growing network and make your voice heard on behalf of kidney patients.

Connect with AKF Through Social Media

If you use Facebook or Twitter, connect with AKF today! Join the conversation as part of our network of more than 48,000 patients, caregivers and friends. AKF’s social media pages are an opportunity to share your story, connect with others, get information about kidney disease and learn about the latest AKF news and events.